"E.k.R." wrote in
:




The major differences between the degrading (nickel and diming) of the
mass-market/premium products and the luxury cruise product is the
customer and size of the ships. While mass-market/premium customers
are willing to accept a decline in the product for lower rates (which
are still lower then most land-based resorts and offer a better value
in most cases), luxury customers are not. In fact many luxury
customers don't want to see lower rates as they feel this will
jeopardize the integrity of the product. The hardware, or size of the
ship also plays a major factor. RSSC for instance has stated they
don't see luxury ships any larger then SS VOYAGER, or it would become
very difficult to maintain high standards. I agree with them.


Indeed the crews on these ships get edgy when the companies lower the
prices. They are a bit snobbish about their niche even at the
waiter/cabin steward level. They know they have a great product and are
proud of it, but they don't want passengers who are not appreciative of
what they offer.